French Open – Men:Rafael Nadal returned to winning ways at the French Open but the story of his first-round match was arguably his opponent. The 18-year-old Gianni Mina may have lost 6-2 6-2 6-2 but the French wild card showed that he is almost certain to be a star of the future with a highly impressive display.
Mina may have won only six games but the fact the match lasted two hours and 23 minutes told a different story as he didn't make it easy for the red-hot title favourite.
The youngest and lowest-ranked (655) player in the draw was playing only his second match on the main tour but it didn't look that way as he started well.
Mina forced break points in each of the four-time champion's service games in the opening set, causing him plenty of problems in the baseline rallies.
However, Nadal, who in his last match at Roland Garros had been stunned by Robin Soderling, proved why he is the world number two by steeling himself on those big points - indeed he saved all nine break points he faced in the match.
After taking the first set, Nadal broke serve in games three and five of the second as Mina began to produce more errors.
However, last year's runner-up in the junior event refused to lie down and stayed competitive until the inevitable end.
Horacio Zeballos will be Nadal's next opponent but he may be worn out before even taking to the court.
The Argentine won 8-6 in the fifth set against Martin Fischer on Tuesday in a match lasting more than four hours.
Earlier, American Andy Roddick gritted his teeth and battled to a five-set victory over Jarkko Nieminen just when it looked as though his campaign would be a shortlived affair.
The big-serving sixth seed, who has never been at home on slow European claycourts, came through 6-2 4-6 4-6 7-6 6-3 on a muggy afternoon at Roland Garros.
Roddick, hoping to build on his best showing here last year when he reached the fourth round, began strongly and cruised through the first set but left-hander Nieminen found his range and began to dictate the baseline rallies.
Nieminen came within two points of winning the match in the fourth set but Roddick dug deep to win a tiebreak 7-4 and regained control in the decider, punching the air after sealing victory.